Question 1

what effect exactly does lithum have on manic depression?  how does it work in the brain?

Accepted Answer

Lithium: Is a mood stabilizer, theorized to work through ion channels in nervous system (electrolyte channels) which affect transmission of neurochemicals. This is one of several theories for its action.

Question 2

does prozac (fluoxetine) help heal the brain(like wound healing!!) from depression, or does it only work as a temporary mask? (when prescribed for 6 + months.)

Accepted Answer

Prozac (fluoxetine) effects: I understand your concern.
Prozac is a medication for depression to treat severe symptoms interfering with relationships, work and personal hobbies.
It does not heal emotional pain, painful hurt or deep resentment.
See Psychiatrist for change in all symptoms of depression in last 6 months, discuss reducing dose of Prozac; Therapy 
Do Breathing and Music Relaxation, Yoga, Meditation, Tai Chi

Question 3

tried ssri/xanax for depression/anxiety, bad reactions. i heard wellbutrin (bupropion) works on different brain chemicals than ssri's. can wellbutrin (bupropion) help?

Accepted Answer

Wellbutrin (bupropion): Wellbutrin does work on different neurotransmitters than SSRI's - specifically norepinephrine and dopamine. That said, you mentioned using Xanax (alprazolam) in the past - and Wellbutrin does have an "activating" effect for many people. So,  it's probably not the best option for you.  I'd suggest seeing a psychiatrist to talk over all of the options available (sometimes dosing is the key). Good luck!

Question 4

what is wrong with me? i have several painful lipomas, fatigue, depression, joint pain & stiffness, brain fog.  lab work is all normal.

Accepted Answer

Multiple Problems: Everything may not neccesarily be related.  One possibility that could explain several of the symptoms would be fibromyalgia.  That could explain the fatigue, depression, pain and stiffness, memory lapse with normal blood work.  I would suggest researching the doctors in your area and see if any specialize in treating fibromyalgia.  The lipomas could be removed surgically if painful.

Question 5

what works in taking care of a mind that is full of death, feelings of depression and despair?

Accepted Answer

You don't need to : Suffer this pain. Depression is a treatable disorder. Start w med eval.  It may uncover medical issues that need to be addressed. Cognitive behavioral therapy can be quite effective. Psych meds may be indicated. Aim for daily exercise, 8 hrs of sleep per night & good nutrition w 5 servings of veggies & 4 of fruit/ day. Try tai chi, yoga or qi gong. Get immediate help for thoughts of suicide.

Question 6

i have depression but it's situational.  i am depressed for an exact reason.  meds don't work.  if i can't solve it, then is there a mind numb med?

Accepted Answer

Not by yourself: You don't have to do things all by yourself -- you can avail yourself of help working through whatever has happened.  Psychologists and psychiatrists who provide psychotherapy can assist you.  You cannot change the past, but you can have a different future depending on choices you make now.  Some losses are very difficult, and yet human beings are endlessly resourceful.  No need for mind-numbing.

Question 7

can one go about healing their mind and bodies from depression by raising bdnf levels through exercise and natural means? does psych medicin work same

Accepted Answer

Possibly: It depends on what kind of condition you're trying to heal your mind and body from.  Research does show that in depression, exercise may be as effective as antidepressants.  Also, more work is showing that not only do antidepressants affect neurotransmitters such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine -- they may also affect neurotropic factors like bdnf.

Question 8

how can  depression affect the brain?

Accepted Answer

Depression: There are chemicals in brain called neurotransmitters, main ones being dopamine, serotonin & adrenaline. These are imbalances when mood changes. Medications that treat depression try to bring those back to balance and hence stabilize moods.

Question 9

do depression shrink the brain? is it irreversible?

Accepted Answer

No: Depression does not shrink the brain . Depression is a imbalance of happy hormones( serotonin) . Like any other disease it's treatable in most cases.

Question 10

what physical effects does depression have on the brain?

Accepted Answer

Many functional: Depression has been associated with memory impairments and may be associated with dementia. Once a person has a depression, that person is at much greater risk of having another depression later in life. This shows that injury occurs, although it is not the kind of injury that is clearly evident on MRI or ct scans. The long-term effects of depression are related to how the brain functions.

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Doctor answers about:

How does depression work in the brain

A member asked:

What effect exactly does lithum have on manic depression? how does it work in the brain?

A member asked:

Does prozac (fluoxetine) help heal the brain(like wound healing!!) from depression, or does it only work as a temporary mask? (when prescribed for 6 + months.)

A member asked:

Tried ssri/xanax for depression/anxiety, bad reactions. i heard wellbutrin (bupropion) works on different brain chemicals than ssri's. can wellbutrin (bupropion) help?

A member asked:

What is wrong with me? i have several painful lipomas, fatigue, depression, joint pain & stiffness, brain fog. lab work is all normal.

A member asked:

What works in taking care of a mind that is full of death, feelings of depression and despair?

A member asked:

I have depression but it's situational. i am depressed for an exact reason. meds don't work. if i can't solve it, then is there a mind numb med?

A member asked:

Can one go about healing their mind and bodies from depression by raising bdnf levels through exercise and natural means? does psych medicin work same

A member asked:

How can depression affect the brain?

A member asked:

Do depression shrink the brain? is it irreversible?

A member asked:

What physical effects does depression have on the brain?

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